Thistledown The Vagabond Grenache

Thistledown The Vagabond Grenache 2024 from Thistledown Wines in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale is a seriously classy old‑vine Grenache – perfumed, mid‑weight and beautifully pure, drawn from multiple dry‑grown bush‑vine sites on deep sands for maximum finesse and texture. This Vagabond Grenache 2024 opens with a complex, aromatic nose of violets, wild cherry, garden roses, rosemary, crushed rocks and warming spice that feels both pretty and savoury. On the palate it’s energetic yet polished, with vibrant cherry, wild strawberry, spice and a lick of liquorice, supported by fine sandy tannins and a long, aromatic finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.

For food, The Vagabond Old Vine Grenache 2024 is magic with North African‑inspired dishes – think lamb tagine with preserved lemon, spiced vegetable couscous or harissa‑rubbed chicken where its red‑fruit core and spice notes really sing. It’s also brilliant alongside jamon, grilled quail or venison and gamey sausages, where those fine tannins and savoury herbs balance the richness without overpowering. If you’re grazing, try it with charcuterie, manchego and Moroccan‑spiced nuts to highlight its floral perfume and sweet‑spice complexity.

This Vagabond Grenache 2024 sits in Australia’s top tier of Grenache, recognised in serious wine classifications and racking up mid‑90s scores from leading critics – a fragrant, mid‑weighted Grenache that mixes sheer drinkability with real pedigree. Old‑vine fruit, wild ferments and gentle handling in concrete and French puncheons deliver a wine that feels both modern and authentic, with vegan‑friendly credentials and ageworthy structure. If you’re chasing a South Australian Grenache that will impress on the dinner table or in the cellar, Thistledown The Vagabond Grenache 2024 is a standout pick.